Otranto Travel Guide

  Outside Melendugno
by BlueLlama
 
  • Outside Melendugno
      Outside Melendugno
    by BlueLlama
  • Otranto's harbour and beach
      Otranto's harbour and beach
    by BlueLlama
  • Great food, great views: Acmet Pascia'
      Great food, great views: Acmet Pascia'
    by BlueLlama
  • Acmet Pascia'
      Acmet Pascia'
    by BlueLlama
  • Reflection
      Reflection
    by BlueLlama
 

Pro

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 What a charming place. 


Con

craic profile photo

 I wasn't here very long. 


In a nutshell

craic profile photo

 Of course there is a castle in Otranto. 

 

Explore Otranto

Things to Do  

Beaches and coves

Beaches and coves, Otranto

 BlueLlama Says:  Otranto has a facinating history, but its main draw in summertime is its coastal location. The waters here are called the Strait of Otranto and you can find any number of spots to sunbathe and swim in the sea.The town itself has beaches right in the centre. The harbour is... 

Basilica di San pietro

Basilica di San pietro, Otranto

 ludogatto Says:  The basilica of St. Peter is the best example of medieval church of Byzantine origin in Puglia, well preserved and restored. Look for it between the streets of the old city 

The castle

The castle, Otranto

 ludogatto Says:  The castle was built by Ferdinand I of Aragon in the 14 century. The castle is impressive and is one of the most important of Puglia. 

Cattedrale and mosaico pavimentale

Cattedrale and mosaico pavimentale, Otranto

 ludogatto Says:  The cathedral was built in the highest part of Otranto so people could see iteverywhere. It 'a wonderful work of 1100, which has undergone changes and additions during the centuries. The particular feature of this cathedral is the floor mosaic that represents the struggle of... 

like a fortress

like a fortress, Otranto

 ludogatto Says:  Otranto, over the centuries, has had to defend itself from attacks by enemies coming from the sea, then the old city is surrounded by huge ramparts to protect the Castro, there was inside the castle, cathedral and everything they needed to survive 

the old town

the old town, Otranto

 ludogatto Says:  the old town is the Casto and u have to take a nice walking looking to the old restaured house with their architecture. Now Otranto is famouse not only for the Castro and the old beauty but also for the magnificent coast with incredible beaches, so many stanger have bought... 

The incredible blue of the port

The incredible blue of the port, Otranto

 ludogatto Says:  The port of Otranto is really incrdibile: boats float on a sea blue as crystal....This is not only a fisherman port, but there are also ferry boat to Greece and Albania. 

the waterfront

the waterfront, Otranto

 ludogatto Says:  Otranto have a nice waterfront with restaurants, a special big ice cream and 'pasticceria' (delicious) where u can spend a plesant evening looking to the people that love to do 'watching people' and love to be watched!At the end of the waterfront after the little bridge... 

the beach in the town

the beach in the town, Otranto

 ludogatto Says:  if u are lazy to go to the big main beaches in the north of Otranto, or only u wantoto relax for a while sunbathing or swimming a little bit u cna stay in the 'central' beach....the sea is blue and nice, a little bit crowded in high season, but perfect for a quick stop after... 

I didn't get a pic of the Duomo - sorry,

I didn't get a pic of the Duomo - sorry,, Otranto

 craic Says:  But I must tell you about it because it is rather special. And then you will have the pleasure of seeing it for yourself for the first time, unmediated by pics.It's very very old. Older than anyone living, or their grandmother.The mosaic floor is rather heathen - a tree of... 

A lovely little town.

A lovely little town., Otranto

 craic Says:  In March the weather was balmy and fresh. The streets weren't crowded. The proprietors of the cafes and restaurants stood on the street with their arms folded watching our group stroll by with benevolent interest. The sea was as blue as it could be. The locals and the... 

Hotels  

Hotel Palazzo Papaleo

 1 Review and 73 Opinions  My stay was like a dream and I often feel the nostalgia not to be there. I arrived late but there... 

Hotel Il Gabbiano

 1 Review and 0 Opinions  Il Gabbiano is a pleasant two-star hotel located pretty much slap-bang in the middle of Otranto,... 

Restaurants  

Acmet Pascia': Spaghetti alle vongole par excellance

Acmet Pascia': Spaghetti alle vongole par excellance, Otranto

 BlueLlama Says:  Enjoying a plate of fresh local fish while looking out over the sea it came from is one of the idyllic experiences of Mediterranean holidays. Ok, so the sea in question here is the Adriatic, but our visit to Acmet Pascia' was one such perfect moment.Otranto is famous for the... 

Zia Fernanda: Fish!

Zia Fernanda: Fish!, Otranto

 ludogatto Says:  Zia Fernanda Palumbo personally performs most of the proposals. Fish without any doubt [the sea is 100 meters]: pepper of mussels, octopus salad, swordfish carpaccio. Good pasta dishes proposed with fresh pasta made at home. Try the noodles with seafood, the 'sagne' with... 

Nightlife  

Otranto town centre: Summer evening's passeggiata
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BlueLlama 154 reviews
People-watching
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As you might expect from a popular Italian seaside town, Otranto has a lively atmosphere on summer evenings. Just as soon as the sun begins to dip, the streets become busier until the little alleys are filled with people and noise.

Shops are open until late and restaurants and bars much later. There are fair-type attractions and sweet stalls for children, cool coconut slices and watermelons for adults. By the time night has fallen the city walls and area around the castle are a hive of activity, with locals and visitors alike chatting, meeting and people-watching.

You can visit the castle itself in the evening (although not too late) and there are no restrictions on walking around the walls, from where you can enjoy great views of the moon on the sea below. The old walls are impressively lit at night, even more striking than during the day.

Shopping, entertainment, people and sight-seeing: Otranto by night has it all.

Written Sep 30, 2008

Address: Otranto's old town centre

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Transportation  

Ferrovie Sudest
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salmayo 18 reviews

The local railway company, the Ferrovie Sudest, has a line which terminates in Otranto. The trip from Lecce can take upwards of an hour but it's really worthwhile going on the train. The trip necessitates at least one change, sometimes two, but it takes you right through the centre of some of the loveliest of the typical, characteristic terrain at pace which is sufficiently relaxed to allow you to take in the scenery around you. The train staff are usually very helpful so even if you don’t speak Italian they will do their best to ensure that you get to your destination.

Written Jan 27, 2009

Website: www.fseonline.it

Related to:
 Trains

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Local Customs  

The struscio
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2 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

ludogatto 453 reviews

Even in Otranto, as in other countries of the South, is accustomed to do the Sunday or evening walk on the seafront or in the main streets: all people take care of their dress style, with the most fashionable clothes (and here are really fashion victims!),to be able to be seen and watch others and do comments.watching people is a common pastime, perhaps sitting by a table at trendy cafes or to the balcony wall .... it is very pleasant come into this part for once and see that you as' foreign 'you will be appreciated !

Written Feb 5, 2008

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Off The Beaten Path  

The most easterly point on the Italian peninsular

The most easterly point on the Italian peninsular, Otranto

 salmayo Says:  The recently restored lighthouse, the 'Faro di Palascia' at Otranto marks the most easterly point on the Italian peninsular. Built in 1867 and used as a lighthouse until the 70s, it has been recently restored and transformed into a small museum and research centre for... 

Great Excuse to get out for a walk in the country

Great Excuse to get out for a walk in the country, Otranto

 salmayo Says:  Otranto is such a charming city and full of interesting things to do and see that often the surrounding area is neglected for lack of time. For those who have an extra day or two in the area, it is really worthwhile getting out into the countryside, for a seaside walk or... 

The beaches

The beaches, Otranto

 ludogatto Says:  On the coast north of Otranto stretch for miles of beautiful white sand beaches and crystal blue sea, with pine forests secular behind. And you must have a means of transportation to reach them, even a bicycle, as we have done to Bay of Turks, but there discourage the use of... 

Sports & Outdoors  

kite surf
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2 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

ludogatto 453 reviews

this area is very good todo kite surf during the spring and in sept october, the wind is strong and the beaches are empty.
IF you want to do kite surfing near Otranto you have to go to the beach of Frassanito or to Alimini beachwhere there are also schools.

Written Feb 5, 2008

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Map of Otranto